A public consultation meeting on the environmental questions pertaining to the proposed larger dry dock at the Cochin shipyard was held at the Collectorate at Kakkanad on Friday.
The larger dry dock is to take up construction and repair of very large vessels.
Officials of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), who attended the meeting, said that a Delhi-based firm, Asian Shipyard Consultancy, conducted the study on the environmental impact of the dry dock, which is planned to be set up over an area of 18 acres from the 30 acres of land available on the CSL campus. The plan is to scoop out four lakh cubic metre soil from the area adjoining the Ernakulam channel on the yard campus.
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The soil thus dug out will be transported using huge barges to the yard’s dumping ground some 24 km away. The yard authorities said that the project would not affect the public in anyway.
“There will be restrictions on sound, dust and mud pollution. The labourers involved will be accommodated outside the city limits and waste material will not be transported along the roads. For piling, a state-of-the-art hydraulic system will be used. To prevent ingress of mud into the canal, a coffer dam would be constructed at the site. The construction will be public and environment friendly,” said the officials.
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Once the dry dock is ready, it will generate employment for some 2,000 people. The labourers engaged in its construction will be provided food within the campus. The completion of the dry dock will give a fillip to Indian shipbuilding sector,” said the officials.
They also said that Cochin Shipyard Limited in the last five years spent Rs.24 crore by way of Corporate Social Responsibility. IT had allocated Rs.25 crore for the purpose.
Additional District Magistrate C. Lathika chaired the meeting.
The yard’s activities are green and pollution-free
It will generate employment for 2,000 people